My recent trip to Hampi had been a long-awaited one since it has been on our bucket list for quite some years now. After spending 3 days and 2 nights in this place, I can just say that I am glad that we could make it this year. My experience in these days has only left me longing for more and I would need to follow-up this trip with another one to see and do things we have left behind. It was nothing less than a time travel experience for me and I would recommend everyone to visit this gem of a place in India.
Here’s me sharing the top 5 reasons on why you should visit Hampi the first thing when you plan your next long weekend vacation.
Awaken the history geek in you
Did you like the mythology series like Mahabharata, Ramayana or Krishna as a child? If you did, then this place is going to offer you a refresher course and will bring back all those childhood memories rushing back. If there is a history geek in you or someone who gets fascinated about the ancient way of living, then Hampi is definitely a must-visit. The feel of this place is incomparable to any other place in the country. Exploring through this city feels nothing short of time travelling to the 13–16th century when the entire city would have been in full life. There are hundreds of these beautiful ruins strewn all across the city, which lends a mysterious character to this place. As soon as you make your way to the main Hampi centre, you will immediately understand what I am talking about.
Photographer’s paradise
Hampi is gifted with some incredible views which get enhanced with the setting sun. The warm hues of this place dissected by the lush greens of the banyan, coconut and sugarcane fields and the meandering Tungabhadra river collectively makes for a photographer’s paradise. This place is bound to delight any of the photography enthusiasts, whether you want to take long landscape shots from the hilltops, capture the mysterious aura around the temple complexes or play with your drones to get those top city shots. Carry all your photography paraphernalia to this vacation since you would not like to miss any of them while you are here.
Hippie way of life
Hampi has two very different sides to it and these sides are geographically separated by the Tungabhadra river. There is this part where the locals live an extremely simple life and earn their living by farming or in their simple jobs related to the tourism of this place.
Another part of this city is called the ‘Hippie Island’. This part is largely inhabited by the foreign nomads who have been staying in Hampi since
weeks and months at a stretch to fully immerse into the culture and history of this incredible city. The feel of this place is somewhat similar to the Goan shacks lining the beach, where the Tungabhadra river tries to replace the beach waters here. There are cafes, trans music, local handicraft shops, tattoo parlours and simple hostels/guesthouses. Stay here if you like the ‘Hippie way of life’ and if you are longing for a Goan feel. Or just visit it once or twice to see how two different kinds of lifestyle co-exist just a river apart.
Relax by the banks of Tungabhadra
The best time to enjoy the river in its full form is during monsoons (Starts from May). This would be a perfect time to sit by the banks of the river and listen to the sound of waters crashing against the mighty boulders. You could also swim in the calmer parts of the river or just enjoy a peaceful coracle ride. Anything you decide to do, the river is sure to add to your amazing experience of this place and leave a lasting impact on you. We visited during early March here and hence didn’t witness the river in the best of it’s form due to low water levels. A good thing saved for the next time!
Biking fun while exploring the city and the ruins
The tourism board has started organising bike tours here since 2004 to help tourists explore the ruins in an altogether different way. Ascending the small hillocks and passing by the numerous small and large ruin complexes on a bike is one of the best ways to explore this city. The tour encompasses 4–5 main sites of Hampi and ends with a nice local lunch under the mango tree. The guides are well versed with various languages and help us understand the significance and history behind each of the places. The bikes are normal ones (non-geared) and might require us to pull it up on a few of the ascends. If you don’t mind some exercise while exploring, then this is tour is a must for you.
Note: The tours have limited timings (starts in the morning 8–9 AM) and hence, it might get a little crowded with too many people in the group. Charges: Rs. 450 per person (includes bike rent till the evening)
Short hikes for incredible views
There are two favourite hills in Hampi which offer incredible views of the entire city, especially during sunrise and sunsets. There is Matanga and an
other is Anjanadri which are placed on opposite sides of the river. We visited Matanga hill and climbed on top by 6 PM. It takes 30 mins hike to the top, which is an easy hike up. It’s not a very well defined and fenced path till the top and hence it might get a little scary for few people who haven’t hiked ever before or are acrophobic. However, I wouldn’t say that it’s unsafe but rather adventurous and exciting. Carry your zoom lenses and all photography paraphernalia along with you, coz you don’t wanna miss the chance of clicking one of the best landscape sunset shots. There are a hanuman and shiva temple ruins on top of each of these hills which offers a nice historical setting to sit, relax and enjoy the views ahead.
Overall I personally think that Hampi needs much more than just a couple of days to be able to do justice to the hundreds of amazing historical ruins there. A 4/5-day trip would be ideal to be able to fully immerse yourself in the feel and get pretty much every kind of experience this place has to offer. However, if you are short on time then a two days short weekend trip is very much doable. It would just make sure that you experience this place enough to develop a longing for more and come back yet again.
Excited enough? Do you want some help with planning two days and five days itinerary to Hampi? Leave a comment below and I would be happy to write a follow-up post to this one.
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